Key Stage 3 Science

The Year 7 Science course follows an adapted version of the KS3 programme of study. Following a brief induction course, the six units are all taught by one teacher.

The skills of scientific investigation, and ideas about Science in the wider world, are incorporated throughout the course.

Term

Content

Autumn

Science Induction

An introduction to investigations in science.

Cells and Life

The roles of tissues and organs within the human body.

Cell structure and cell division.

Reproductive organs, fertilisation, pregnancy and birth.

States of Matter and Solutions

The properties of solids, liquids and gases, and the formation and separation of solutions.

Spring

Electricity and Magnetism

Electrical charge and electrostatics.

Properties of electrical circuits.

Magnets and electromagnets.

Variation and Genetics

Monitoring and identifying species.

Genetics, DNA and the importance of maintaining biodiversity.

Summer

Chemical Reactions

Identifying acids and alkalis using indicators.

Safety issues.

Using chemical reactions to identify unknown materials.

Energy types and energy transfers

Thermal energy.

The sun and the solar system.

Year 8 follows an accelerated Key Stage 3 course using the text book, Thinking Through Science IPM tests are mainly in the form of written tests at the end of each topic, and students sit an end-of-year exam from which GCSE challenge grades are determined.

Term

Content

Autumn

Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Atoms and elements, including an introduction to the periodic table.

Compounds and mixtures, and separation techniques.

Sound and Light

The properties of sound including pitch and frequency.

The properties of light.

Reflection and refraction.

Spring

Nutrition and Respiration

The content of a healthy human diet and why each of the seven food types is needed.

The tissues and organs of the human digestive system, including adaptations to function.

Structure and function of the gas exchange system including adaptations to function.

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration in living organisms.

Forces, Speed and Pressure

The effects of different forces.

Speed and acceleration.

Moments and pressure.

Summer

Earth Science

Types of rock and how they are formed.

Weathering of rocks.

The rock cycle.

Photosynthesis and Interdependence

To understand the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops.

To understand the importance of plant reproduction through insect pollination in human food security.

To know that plants make carbohydrates in their leaves by photosynthesis and gaining mineral nutrients and water from soil via roots.

This information relates to the current cohort and will be updated in June to reflect the 2018/19 cohort)